Diamond-Level 3 Walter Zeller Fellowship

Fortuna happened upon a vaccination table at a clinic while accompanying her cousin, whose child was being vaccinated. She was told by her cousin about the station outside the door where other women were arriving to be vaccinated against maternal and neonatal tetanus. Fortuna decided to have a vaccination so she will be protected when she has her own children. Availability of resources, competing priorities, geographic access and natural disasters have challenged implementation of Haiti’s action plan against MNT. Yet, the nation and its women battle on … to the day Haiti can declare “elimination.”

US$5,000 gift More than 2,777 lives saved or protected

With governments and partners, UNICEF has established an action plan. Your gift will support:

• Immunization of women of reproductive age. The vaccines will be administered through three properly spaced rounds of supplemental immunization activities in districts where mothers and newborns have limited access to prenatal care, immunization and skilled birth attendants.
• Promotion of clean delivery practices. The number of safe and healthy births will increase.
• Immunization of pregnant women. The tetanus toxoid or tetanus and diphtheria vaccine will be promoted as part of a package of interventions delivered during prenatal care visits or through outreach services.
• Sustainability through education. Funds will help maintain educational initiatives such as clean birthing practices established during The Eliminate Project.
• Kiwanian education and organizational enhancement. A small portion of funds raised will help educate the Kiwanis family on maternal and neonatal issues and help create Kiwanis-family service projects that support The Eliminate Project.